Loose leaf binder



Feb. 22, 1938. J. HA TALMAGE LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed sept. 16, 1935 w R Y OmIH j E T N ND R ER O VM T NO T. IH A Patentecl Feb. 22, 1938 PATENT OFFICE LOOSE vLEAF BINDER John Howard Talmage, Chicago, Ill., 'assignor to Wilson-Jones Company, Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Massachusetts Application 'September 16, 1935,' Serial No. 40,707

6 Claims.

This invention relates to loose leaf binders and more particularly to equalizer sheets for use in connection with so-called visible binders in which a plurality of sheets of less length than the binder are arranged in overlapped relationship so that one edge of each sheet is exposed a predetermined distance. In loose leaf binders of this type the total thickness of the sheet contents varies from a maximum at the center to a minimum at each end of the binder. variation in thickness of sheetV contents renders it extremely difiicult to write on the various sheets while they are in the binder.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for equalizing the total thickness of the sheet contents of the binder from end to end so that an even writing surface is maintained. It is a further object of this invention to provide equalizing means that can be rearranged to vary the equalizing effect in accordance with the needs of the binder at any time. It is a further object of this invention to provide equalizing means that will not substantially increase the total thickness of the contents of the binder and will preserve the flexibility of the sheet contents of the binder. It is a further object of this invention to provide equalizer sheets that are inexpensive to manufacture and are efiicient in use. It is a further object of this invention to provide equalizer sheets that Will last indefinitely and will not lose their equalizing effect even after long usage. Other objects of this invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loose leaf binder with equalizer sheets positioned therein;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality of equalizer sheets arranged in a different relationship from Vthat shown in the equalizer sheets in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of an equalizer sheet constructed in accordance with the present invention.

In the drawing, the reference numeral 2 indicates a conventional loose leaf binder having a back member 3 and a pair of cover members 4. A ring metal 5 provided with a plurality of divided rings 6 is secured to the back member 3 in any suitable manner. If desired, a plurality of prong members may be substituted for the divided rings 6.

A plurality of sheets 'I is impaled on the rings 6. The sheets 1 are divided into banlss Or series This by means of equalizer sheets i8 with one equalizer sheet between each bank -of sheets. Each bank of sheets comprises a plurality of `sheets of less length than the length of the binder arranged in overlapped relationship. The overlapping vof the sheets causes each bank to vary in thickness from a maximum -at the central portion to a minimum at each end. The degree of variation in thickness Will depend upon the length of the sheets and the amount of overlap. The variation in thickness of any bank of sheets will increase with increase in length of the individual sheets and with decrease in the amount of overlap.

The equalizer sheets '-8 are identical sov that only one need be described. "One' 'edge of the sheet 8 is provided with a plurality of apertures 9 of a size suitable for allowing impalement of the sheet on the divided rings 6. The sheet is provided with more apertures than the binder has rings or prongs so that it may be used in loose leaf binders in which one set of prongs may be shifted relative to the other set. Binders of this type are well known and one is fully described in United States Letters Patent No. 1,986,161 granted to Paul O. Unger January 1, 1935. Both ends of the sheet are preferably reinforced along the apertured edge by means of a pair of strips IO of celluloid or similar material each of which is folded over the inner edge to cover both surfaces of the sheet adjacent the apertures.

A plurality of strips ll of fabric, celluloid, paper or similar material of suitable thickness is secured to each end of the equalizer sheet 8. 3

Each strip ll is folded over the endv of the sheet 8 with a relatively short portion |2 on one side of the sheet and a longer portion |3 on the other side. Since the sheets 8 are identical, the strips Il of successive sheets will be superimposed on each other When the sheets are positioned in the binder as indicated in Figure 1. The equalizer sheets will add only the thickness of the sheets 8 to the medial portion of the sheets 'I where the thickness of the sheet contents 'l is at its maximum. At the ends of the binder, where thethickness of the sheet contents 1 is at its minimum, the equalizer sheets add a double thickness of the strip II as 'well as the thickness of the sheet 8. In the intermediate area between the end of the portion |2 and the medial portion of the sheet contents, the equalizer sheet adds its own thickness and one thickness of the strip I.

The strips II are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the width of the strips, and

the strips at one end are arranged alternately with respect to the strips at the other end of the equalizer sheet. The spacing between adjacent strips permits the sheets to be fiexed in turning, and also permits the strips of one sheet to fit between the strips of another sheet when one sheet is tumbled, or turned end for end, as illustrated in Figure 2. The total effective thickness of any number of equalizer sheets may be varied by predetermined degrees from a maximum when the equalizer sheets are positioned as shown in Figure 1, to a minimum when every other sheet is tumbled, as indicated in Figure 2.

It is preferred to position the longer portions |3 of the strip on one surface of the sheet'B at one end of the sheet, and on the' opposite surface at the other end of the sheet. With this arrangement the sheets 8 willralways' show' uni-l form lengths of strip as the sheets of the binder are turned, regardless of whether the equalizer sheets have been tumbled or not. i,

Although I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact Construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

'I claim: 1

1. An equalizer sheet for loose leaf binders having its top and bottom edges each provided With a series of strips adhered thereto, the series of strips at one edge being laterally spaced alternately of the strips at the opposite edge.

and the strips at the opposite edge being arranged in reVerSe manner.

4. An equalizer sheet for loose leaf binders havingra plurality of strips adhered to the top and bottomedges of said sheet in spaced relationship, said strips being narrower than the spaces intervening between said strips, and the strips at either edge of said sheet being aligned with the spaces at the other edge of the sheet.

5. An equalizer sheet for loose leaf binders having a plurality of equalizing strips adhered to both sides of said sheet adjacent one edge thereof, each of said 'strips being folded at a point spaced from the center thereof Whereby the portions of said strips adhered to opposite sides of said sheet are of unequal lengths.

6. An equalizer sheet for loose leaf binders having equalizing elements adhered to both sides of said sheet. adjacent one edge thereof, the equalizing elements on one side of said sheet being of different length than the elements on the opposite side of -said sheet.

JOHN HOWARD TALMAGE. 

